FLOW CYTOMETRY SYSTEM AND METHOD

A flow cytometry system having a flow channel defined through the thickness of a substrate is disclosed. Fluid flowing through the flow channel is illuminated by a first plurality of surface waveguides that are arranged around the flow channel in a first plane, while a second plurality of surface waveguides arranged around the flow channel in a second plane receive light after it has interacted with the fluid. The illumination pattern provided to the fluid is controlled by controlling the phase of the light in the first plurality of surface waveguides. As a result, the fluid is illuminated with light that is uniform and has a low coefficient of variation, improving the ability to distinguish and quantify characteristics of the fluid, such as cell count, DNA content, and the like.